Automakers eye much-needed sales boost as economic climate improves
KINGSLEY WIJAYASINHA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Automakers are hoping that the easing economic atmosphere will help revive sales during the second part of the year, after suffering a 42-per-cent plunge during the first five months.

New models and auto shows where attractive promotions are offered will help bring back sales during the second half, although it is unlikely that the figure will exceed 1 million units for the full year.

"Total domestic auto sales in Thailand could finish in the range of 950,000 to 985,000 units this year," Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Honda Automobile Thailand chief operating officer said, during the public launch of the Honda Accord Hybrid on Tuesday.

The Accord Hybrid is one of the all-new models being exhibited at the "FAST Auto Show", which opened yesterday at Bitec (Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre).

The event, which goes on until Sunday, features 15 automobile companies as well as six used-car dealers. Organisers expect 3,000 new vehicles to be sold at the show, along with 1,000 used autos.

The Nissan Navara pickup is another all-new model that is attracting customer orders at the Bitec show, which also boasts a large number of promotions.

For example, Mazda is offering a choice of 0.99-per-cent interest plus insurance or Bt5,000 discount plus Bt2,000 monthly fuel credit for up to 24 months for the Mazda2, while Mitsubishi is offering zero interest along with a triple lucky draw with gold necklaces and fuel cards worth Bt100,000 from Shell.

Chalatchai Paphatphong, the show's vice organising chairman for new vehicles, said: "It is believed that Thailand's auto market has passed its worst moment. But for the rest of the year, market recovery will depend on the country's economy.

"Considering the current situation, with the direction of the economic development plans getting clearer, combined with the recovery in consumer spending, it also depends on how much purchasing power will return, as well.

"This means that if the economy recovers, purchasing power would rebound, too. So it is possible that the overall economy will improve."

He said the automotive industry in the second half was difficult to predict because there were many factors involved.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Automakers-eye-much-needed-sales-boost-as-economic-30237611.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-03

Is it true that buying a vehicle in Thailand cost twice it would cost in U.S.A.? And that would include the cost of exporting to that location.

Is it true that buying a vehicle in Thailand cost twice it would cost in U.S.A.? And that would include the cost of exporting to that location.

Might be they already have to many and try to sell them cheap.

http://www.zerohedge...old-cars-go-die

Is it true that buying a vehicle in Thailand cost twice it would cost in U.S.A.? And that would include the cost of exporting to that location.

Might be they already have to many and try to sell them cheap.

http://www.zerohedge...old-cars-go-die

You mean this story?

Maybe try reading this story too.

Is it true that buying a vehicle in Thailand cost twice it would cost in U.S.A.? And that would include the cost of exporting to that location.

Just purchase a new Accord...2 litre model....Around $42K AUD...(1.3m Thb), similar price to Australia....cars in Oz are expensive compared to the US

Auto companies enjoyed strong sales, in part due to the government's first time buyers rebate program. Auto sales are usually cyclical, in that strong sales for one or two years usually results in lower sales for the following years. Consumers can only finance so many vehicles- but maybe not here in Thailand

Cars in Canada are cheaper than in the US, and to protect pricing it is a felony to buy a car in Canada and drive it home to the US. Same car., same emissions standard, just 20% less.....

Is it true that buying a vehicle in Thailand cost twice it would cost in U.S.A.? And that would include the cost of exporting to that location.

Just purchase a new Accord...2 litre model....Around $42K AUD...(1.3m Thb), similar price to Australia....cars in Oz are expensive compared to the US

Aussie car market small in comparison to US market, economies of scale come in to play.

Is it true that buying a vehicle in Thailand cost twice it would cost in U.S.A.? And that would include the cost of exporting to that location.

Might be they already have to many and try to sell them cheap.

http://www.zerohedge...old-cars-go-die

You mean this story?

Maybe try reading this story too.

Agree, I think that story has been debunked by several sources... Still the pics are staggering...

Auto industry is picking up after farmers are paid

BANGKOK: -- Thai automobile industry is recovering after the general political situation has improved and farmers get paid.

This was revealed Thursday by Thai Automobile Industry Association president Piengjai Kaewsuwan.

Mrs Piengjai, also chairwoman of the Asean Automotive Federation, said that as farmers were paid of their rice after the National Council for Peace and Order took power, now they have money to spend.

Apparently this has reflected in the rise of motorcycle and pickup trucks sales, she said.

She said the rise in sales of these vehicles signalled that the automobile is recovering and total sales could climb to one million units by end of the year, against last year’s 1.2 million units.

She further said Thailand remains the biggest automobile producer in Southeast Asia with 2.4-2.5 million vehicles produced annually.

This will result in the automotive market in the region to continue growing in the next one or two years.

She said investment in the automotive sector of the region is rising but his does not indicate automotive producers are leaving Thailand for nearby countries as investment is also growing in Thailand.

This includes Nissan that is raising its production capacity to 100,000 units per year and Toyota that has invested 50 billion baht in similar expansion.

Meanwhile Board of Investment secretary-general Udom Wongviwatchai said export-oriented automobile producers remained confident of Thailand.

He said this year 10 automobile companies sought promotional privileges for their eco-car production projects worth altogether Bt130 billion.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/auto-industry-picking-farmers-paid/

-- Thai PBS 2014-07-03

And i was thinking that those farmers where almost dead from suffering hunger.....seems only the new car had to wait ...untill payment came by reading that tittle

Auto industry is picking up after farmers are paid

BANGKOK: -- Thai automobile industry is recovering after the general political situation has improved and farmers get paid.

This was revealed Thursday by Thai Automobile Industry Association president Piengjai Kaewsuwan.

Mrs Piengjai, also chairwoman of the Asean Automotive Federation, said that as farmers were paid of their rice after the National Council for Peace and Order took power, now they have money to spend.

Apparently this has reflected in the rise of motorcycle and pickup trucks sales, she said.

She said the rise in sales of these vehicles signalled that the automobile is recovering and total sales could climb to one million units by end of the year, against last year’s 1.2 million units.

She further said Thailand remains the biggest automobile producer in Southeast Asia with 2.4-2.5 million vehicles produced annually.

This will result in the automotive market in the region to continue growing in the next one or two years.

She said investment in the automotive sector of the region is rising but his does not indicate automotive producers are leaving Thailand for nearby countries as investment is also growing in Thailand.

This includes Nissan that is raising its production capacity to 100,000 units per year and Toyota that has invested 50 billion baht in similar expansion.

Meanwhile Board of Investment secretary-general Udom Wongviwatchai said export-oriented automobile producers remained confident of Thailand.

He said this year 10 automobile companies sought promotional privileges for their eco-car production projects worth altogether Bt130 billion.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/auto-industry-picking-farmers-paid/

-- Thai PBS 2014-07-03